OLYMPIC BALLET THEATRE "Debuts" Feburary 14 and 15t, 2026 Review
OLYMPIC BALLET THEATRE
“Debuts”
“Debuts”
February 14, 2026
Edmonds, WA
Edmonds Center for the Arts
The Olympic Ballet Theatre showcased two premiere pieces in their February rep “Debuts”. “Our Tender Distance'' with choreography by Beth Twigs and “Letter for a Restless World” with choreography by Price Suddarth.
The first piece up was “ Our Tender Distance”. With music by Gaspar Claus, the piece started off starkly, with a cello that was almost dissonant enough to sound out of tune. The music created an atmosphere of confusion which worked well with the choreography. As the piece continued and the music changed, the choreography really opened up and the group of 11 dancers brought the piece to life. A mix of company dancers with a few trainees as well, I really enjoyed the choreography throughout this piece.
The second piece was “Letter for a Restless World”. With music by Alfonso Peduto, the piece featured seven dancers, mainly company dancers with a few trainees. This piece was also stark to begin with which also suited the choreography well. Contemporary ballet can be a bit of an acquired taste, depending on your love of the ballet. I found this piece well done and the storytelling was very cinematic in its approach.
Overall, “Debuts” was a worthy and entertaining mixed bill from the Olympic Ballet Theatre. The only suggestion I would have, and I don’t know how to make this work, is to add a third piece somehow. That may be cost prohibitive but perhaps a repeat of an earlier piece from a previous season or something else that can be added on that the company has done before in another program. It may not work with the theme of debut pieces but the program was 1 hour and 10 minutes, including a 15 minute intermission. It felt very short and for those folks in attendance, getting the program to 90 minutes would be a welcome addition in my eyes. You would already add a second intermission after the second piece so that would get the program close to 90 minutes by itself. A third piece, regardless of how short, would make for a fuller program. But, again, I don’t know the best way to achieve this without going over budget.
Outside of that, the “Debuts” program was enjoyable. The next production is the “Spring Rep” on April 11 and 12th at the Edmonds Center for the Arts. And the season concludes with the classical full length “Giselle” on May 9th and May 10th also at the Edmonds Center for the Arts.
Best,
Mark Sugiyama
Eclectic Arts Media
Connect with Eclectic Arts Media: Social Media and Email Links
Edmonds, WA
Edmonds Center for the Arts
The Olympic Ballet Theatre showcased two premiere pieces in their February rep “Debuts”. “Our Tender Distance'' with choreography by Beth Twigs and “Letter for a Restless World” with choreography by Price Suddarth.
The first piece up was “ Our Tender Distance”. With music by Gaspar Claus, the piece started off starkly, with a cello that was almost dissonant enough to sound out of tune. The music created an atmosphere of confusion which worked well with the choreography. As the piece continued and the music changed, the choreography really opened up and the group of 11 dancers brought the piece to life. A mix of company dancers with a few trainees as well, I really enjoyed the choreography throughout this piece.
The second piece was “Letter for a Restless World”. With music by Alfonso Peduto, the piece featured seven dancers, mainly company dancers with a few trainees. This piece was also stark to begin with which also suited the choreography well. Contemporary ballet can be a bit of an acquired taste, depending on your love of the ballet. I found this piece well done and the storytelling was very cinematic in its approach.
Overall, “Debuts” was a worthy and entertaining mixed bill from the Olympic Ballet Theatre. The only suggestion I would have, and I don’t know how to make this work, is to add a third piece somehow. That may be cost prohibitive but perhaps a repeat of an earlier piece from a previous season or something else that can be added on that the company has done before in another program. It may not work with the theme of debut pieces but the program was 1 hour and 10 minutes, including a 15 minute intermission. It felt very short and for those folks in attendance, getting the program to 90 minutes would be a welcome addition in my eyes. You would already add a second intermission after the second piece so that would get the program close to 90 minutes by itself. A third piece, regardless of how short, would make for a fuller program. But, again, I don’t know the best way to achieve this without going over budget.
Outside of that, the “Debuts” program was enjoyable. The next production is the “Spring Rep” on April 11 and 12th at the Edmonds Center for the Arts. And the season concludes with the classical full length “Giselle” on May 9th and May 10th also at the Edmonds Center for the Arts.
Best,
Mark Sugiyama
Eclectic Arts Media
Connect with Eclectic Arts Media: Social Media and Email Links
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